4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,850 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Oct 282010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Noticed hydraulic brake fluid leaking from clutch master cylinder which is mounted behind the clutch pedal under dash. Clutch system shares brake fluid with brake system. Fluid drips on clutch pedal and floor creating a very slick surface and drop in fluid level in brake reservoir. This creates a severe safety issue in my opinion. This appears to be a common problem with Ford Focus manual transmission cars. The only remedy was to replace the clutch master cylinder. Also needed to replace the clutch pedal rubber foot pad which had disintegrated from exposure to the brake fluid.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 152005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,000 miles
Brake problem. At about 2000 to 3000 miles breaks starts to squeal and grind. Took it in to service at dealer complaining about problem, as it got worse and was not normal in 6,000 miles. Was told no problem, routine break in. Then at 12,000 miles still a problem. Went to another dealer, said the same thing. Now with nearly 18,000 miles, rotors are grooved very bad. Evidence and warning was evident in the earlier miles as well. Ford has done nothing to help. I feel they owe me a new pair of rotors and pads. Also, complained of clutch noise problem. I have heard of a tsb claiming certain 2004 Focus have a transaxle misalignment causing pre-mature clutch wear and noise. Wiper switch has been replaced by rc lacy Ford, better service, but they won't service me anymore, since I did not buy it there, and ravena is so close. I need to contact crossroads about all future warranty issues and complaints. Doors in the rear also stick, and wear of door striker is evident. Tires have also been worn pretty bad pirelli 195/60 R15. Back pair are totally bald, and only have had like 18,000 miles, I think it was a alignment issue, which for a car 17 months old should not be an issue. I noticed wear at around 13,000 miles. During my second tire rotation. Have had too many problems with this new vehicle. Also issues with extreme chipping around the rear wheel well. Also have had a hesitation problem at about 25 mph. #rd gear used to be difficult to engage. Please help me resolve these issues. I got nowhere with the dealers myself. The VIN is not the appropriate VIN. My car is a 2004 ZX5 duratec 2.3E 5 spd. Almost all options included. Thank you.

- Athens, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 212004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 9,996 miles
In minneapolis 4/23/04 the car stalled in stop and go freeway traffic and took a few minutes on the freeway to re-start-mileage then-approx 2317 R/O open date R/O close date 9/21/04 10/05/04 the first 4 dates are transmission related. Initially the car would pop out of 2nd gear while slowing or turning a corner 2/03/05 2/10/05 bearings replaced 2/12/05 2/15/05 cruise inoperable 3/15/05 3/23/05 transmission replaced. 3/25/05 3/30/05 this is a throttle body replacement all of these repairs were done under warranty. In a further page I do not know what "oem" means so haven't answered that question.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #1

May 212004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 404 miles
Manual transmission reverse and first gear failed, causing car to over rev engine. Car was taken to dealer where I was told a pin claimed lose in the clutch. During towing of vehicle, tow truck driver noticed that there was a large amount of rust on the undercarriage of the car. This problem is not yet resolved.

- Eastampton, NJ, USA